The peripheral driver stimulating theory states that as a driver passes along a certain meridian during acupuncture; the driver provokes nerve sense devices along the meridian, resulting in the nerve impulse entering ...The peripheral driver stimulating theory states that as a driver passes along a certain meridian during acupuncture; the driver provokes nerve sense devices along the meridian, resulting in the nerve impulse entering the central nervous system. Accordingly, volunteers have reported propagated sensations along the meridians （PSM）. The present study was designed to utilize a cortical somatosensory-evoked potential （CSEP） topographic map for determining whether stimulation expansion occurs in somatosensory area I when sensation was provoked in individuals with obvious PSM. The sensation was blocked by mechanical compression, and the sensation was imitated in individuals without PSM. Results revealed a red, high-potential signal in the representative area of the lower limbs in individuals with obvious PSM symptoms when the Gall Bladder Meridian （GBM） sensation passed to the head and face. This representative area was near the middle line of the CSEP topographic map, and a red, high-potential signal, which jumps over the representative area of the upper limbs, also appeared in the representative face area, which was at the external region of the CSEP topographic map. However, in individuals exhibiting no PSM, only a red high-potential signal appeared in the representative lower limb area. When Hegu （LI 4） was stimulated in individuals without PSM, an obvious evoked response appeared only in the representative upper limb area. However, when Hegu was stimulated in individuals exhibiting PSM, the response area was larger in the representative upper limb area and extended to the representative face area. When Guangrning （GB 37） was stimulated in PSM individuals, the face representation response disappeared and was confined to a foot representation of the somatosensory area I when PSM was blocked by mechanical pressure. Results suggested that mechanical compression blocked PSM, and corresponding changes were exhibited in the CSEP topographic map. These results provide compelling evidence for the hypothesis that peripheral driver stimulation is the key element in producing PSM.展开更多
Propagated sensation along the meridian can occur when acupoints are stimulated by acupuncture or electrical impulses. In this study, participants with notable propagated sensation along the me- ridian were given elec...Propagated sensation along the meridian can occur when acupoints are stimulated by acupuncture or electrical impulses. In this study, participants with notable propagated sensation along the me- ridian were given electro-acupuncture at the Jianyu （LI15） acupoint of the large intestine meridian. When participants stated that the sensation reached the back of their hand, reguJar nervous system action discharge was examined using a physiological recording electrode placed on the superficial branch of the radial nerve. The topographical maps of brain-evoked potential in the primary cortical somatosensory area were also detected. When Guangming （GB37） acupoint in the lower limb and Hegu （LI4） acupoint in the upper limb were stimulated, subjects without propagated sensation along the meridian exhibited a high potential reaction in the corresponding area of the brain cortical somatosensory area. For subjects with a notable propagated sensation along the meridian, the re- action area was larger and extended into the face representative area. These electrophysiological measures directly prove the existence of propagated sensation along the meridian, and the periph- eral stimulated site is consistent with the corresponding primary cortical somatosensory area, which presents a high potential reaction.展开更多
Propagated sensation along meridians （PSM） is a phenomenon that a sensation moves along meridians during stimulation of an acupoint. PSM has an appearance rate of 1.3% among people and have characteristics of low sp...Propagated sensation along meridians （PSM） is a phenomenon that a sensation moves along meridians during stimulation of an acupoint. PSM has an appearance rate of 1.3% among people and have characteristics of low speed, going toward afflicted sites and being blocked by physical pressure which is difficult to be explained by known neural and blood transmission. Volume transmission （VT） is a widespread mode of intercellular communication in the central nervous system that occurs in the extracellular fluid and in the cerebrospinal fluid. VT signals moves from source to target cells via energy gradients leading to diffusion and convection （flow） which is slow, long distance and much less space filling. VT channel diffuse forming a plexus in the extracellular space with two parameters of volume fraction and tortuosity. Some experiments showed an information transmission between adjacent and distant acupoints along meridians cross spinal segments. This process is a cross-excitation between peripheral nerve terminals which is related to nonsynaptic transmission. Some neurotransmitters or neuropeptides such as glutamate, adenosine triphosphate （ATP） and neuropeptide such as substance P, neurokinin A and calcitonin gene-related peptide relate with the cross-excitation which can be regards as VT signals. Comparing the characteristics of PSM and VT, many similar aspects can be found leading to an assumption that PSM is a process of VT in peripheral tissue along meridians. The reason why VT signals transmit along meridians is that the meridian is rich in interstitial fluid under the condition of low hydraulic resistance which has been proven experimentally. According to Darcy＇s law which descript the flow of interstitial fluid and conservation equation, interstitial fluid will move toward meridians and flow along meridians that restrict the VT signals within the channel and accelerate the flow according to Fick＇s diffusion law. During the process, a degranulation of histamine from mast cells happens on the route which can expand capillary and increase the blood perfusion and interstitial fluid which had already been observed. The mechanism of PSM is featured by alternative axon reflex （wired transmission, WT） and VT in peripheral tissue along meridians, sending simultaneously a continuous sensate signal to control nerve system which can be felt like a PSM.展开更多
The meridian phenomena are closely associated with the neuro-muscular function. Our experiments show that meridian phenomenon, acupoint stimulation-induced generating-sensations along meridians(GSM), does exist in som...The meridian phenomena are closely associated with the neuro-muscular function. Our experiments show that meridian phenomenon, acupoint stimulation-induced generating-sensations along meridians(GSM), does exist in some volunteers, and the subjects can describe the characteristics of the feelings and the route of GSM. Simultaneously, GSM is often accompanied with progressive myoelectric activity along the meridian which is able to be recorded objectively. Brachial plexus anesthesia and regional neuro-muscular block may arrest these responses while the neuro-muscular blocking agent may stop neuromuscular transmission at the motor end-plate rather than check GSM. The facts reveal that GSM probably depends on muscular activity and is involved in the secondary neuro-muscular excitation propagating along the longitudinal axis of muscles. These findings suggest that the myoelectric activities constitute the foundation of secondarily generating-sensation propagating along the longitudinal orientation of limbs(muscles), or along the meridian.展开更多
Objective： To investigate the electrical signals propagated along Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian （BL） in a rat model. Methods： The experiments were performed on Dark-Agouti （DA）, DA.lU and Sprague Dawley （SD） r...Objective： To investigate the electrical signals propagated along Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian （BL） in a rat model. Methods： The experiments were performed on Dark-Agouti （DA）, DA.lU and Sprague Dawley （SD） rats. The antidromic electrical stimulation was applied on the nerve innervating ＂Pishu＂ （BL 20） to mimic the acupoint electro-acupuncture （EA）. The activities recording from adjacent nerve innervating acupoint ＂Danshu＂ （BL 19） or ＂Weishu＂ （BL 21） were recorded as indics for acupoint, including the mechanical threshold and discharge rate. Results： After mimic EA on BL 20, C and A $ units from adjacent BL 19 or BL 21 were sensitized including the decrease in mechanical threshold and increase in discharge rates in DA, DA.1U and SD rats, especially in DA rats. The average discharge rate increased from 2.40± 0.26 to 6.06± 0.55 and from 1.92±0.42 to 6.17± 1.10 impulse/min （P〈0.01）, and the mechanical threshold decreased from 0.52 ± 0.12 to 0.24 ± 0.05 and from 0.27±0.02 to 0.16±0.01 mmol/L （P〈0.01） in C （n=15） and Aδ （n=18） units in DA rats. The net change in discharge rates from C units were 152.5%, 144.7% and 42.4% in DA, DA.1U and SD rats, respectively, among which DA rat＇s was the highest （P〈0.05）. In A δ units, the net change in DA rats were also the highest （221.5%, 139.2% and 49.2% in DA, DA.lU and SD rats）. Conclusions： These results showed that mimic acupoint EA activated adjacent acupoints along BL in three rat strains, which might be related to propagated sensation along meridians （PSM）. In addition, DA rats were more sensitive and might be a good model animal for PSM research.展开更多
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.30973720the Science Research Foundation of Ministry of Health & United Fujian Provincial Health and Education Project for Tackling the Key Research of China, No.WKJ2005-2-004
文摘The peripheral driver stimulating theory states that as a driver passes along a certain meridian during acupuncture; the driver provokes nerve sense devices along the meridian, resulting in the nerve impulse entering the central nervous system. Accordingly, volunteers have reported propagated sensations along the meridians （PSM）. The present study was designed to utilize a cortical somatosensory-evoked potential （CSEP） topographic map for determining whether stimulation expansion occurs in somatosensory area I when sensation was provoked in individuals with obvious PSM. The sensation was blocked by mechanical compression, and the sensation was imitated in individuals without PSM. Results revealed a red, high-potential signal in the representative area of the lower limbs in individuals with obvious PSM symptoms when the Gall Bladder Meridian （GBM） sensation passed to the head and face. This representative area was near the middle line of the CSEP topographic map, and a red, high-potential signal, which jumps over the representative area of the upper limbs, also appeared in the representative face area, which was at the external region of the CSEP topographic map. However, in individuals exhibiting no PSM, only a red high-potential signal appeared in the representative lower limb area. When Hegu （LI 4） was stimulated in individuals without PSM, an obvious evoked response appeared only in the representative upper limb area. However, when Hegu was stimulated in individuals exhibiting PSM, the response area was larger in the representative upper limb area and extended to the representative face area. When Guangrning （GB 37） was stimulated in PSM individuals, the face representation response disappeared and was confined to a foot representation of the somatosensory area I when PSM was blocked by mechanical pressure. Results suggested that mechanical compression blocked PSM, and corresponding changes were exhibited in the CSEP topographic map. These results provide compelling evidence for the hypothesis that peripheral driver stimulation is the key element in producing PSM.
基金supported by the General Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30973720the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province in China,No.2011J01192Free Topics of Fujian Provincial Science & Technology Ministry in China,No.2012fjzyyk-6
文摘Propagated sensation along the meridian can occur when acupoints are stimulated by acupuncture or electrical impulses. In this study, participants with notable propagated sensation along the me- ridian were given electro-acupuncture at the Jianyu （LI15） acupoint of the large intestine meridian. When participants stated that the sensation reached the back of their hand, reguJar nervous system action discharge was examined using a physiological recording electrode placed on the superficial branch of the radial nerve. The topographical maps of brain-evoked potential in the primary cortical somatosensory area were also detected. When Guangming （GB37） acupoint in the lower limb and Hegu （LI4） acupoint in the upper limb were stimulated, subjects without propagated sensation along the meridian exhibited a high potential reaction in the corresponding area of the brain cortical somatosensory area. For subjects with a notable propagated sensation along the meridian, the re- action area was larger and extended into the face representative area. These electrophysiological measures directly prove the existence of propagated sensation along the meridian, and the periph- eral stimulated site is consistent with the corresponding primary cortical somatosensory area, which presents a high potential reaction.
基金Supported by National Key Basic Research Program(973 No. 2010CB530507)National Nature Science Foundation(No. 81173206)
文摘Propagated sensation along meridians （PSM） is a phenomenon that a sensation moves along meridians during stimulation of an acupoint. PSM has an appearance rate of 1.3% among people and have characteristics of low speed, going toward afflicted sites and being blocked by physical pressure which is difficult to be explained by known neural and blood transmission. Volume transmission （VT） is a widespread mode of intercellular communication in the central nervous system that occurs in the extracellular fluid and in the cerebrospinal fluid. VT signals moves from source to target cells via energy gradients leading to diffusion and convection （flow） which is slow, long distance and much less space filling. VT channel diffuse forming a plexus in the extracellular space with two parameters of volume fraction and tortuosity. Some experiments showed an information transmission between adjacent and distant acupoints along meridians cross spinal segments. This process is a cross-excitation between peripheral nerve terminals which is related to nonsynaptic transmission. Some neurotransmitters or neuropeptides such as glutamate, adenosine triphosphate （ATP） and neuropeptide such as substance P, neurokinin A and calcitonin gene-related peptide relate with the cross-excitation which can be regards as VT signals. Comparing the characteristics of PSM and VT, many similar aspects can be found leading to an assumption that PSM is a process of VT in peripheral tissue along meridians. The reason why VT signals transmit along meridians is that the meridian is rich in interstitial fluid under the condition of low hydraulic resistance which has been proven experimentally. According to Darcy＇s law which descript the flow of interstitial fluid and conservation equation, interstitial fluid will move toward meridians and flow along meridians that restrict the VT signals within the channel and accelerate the flow according to Fick＇s diffusion law. During the process, a degranulation of histamine from mast cells happens on the route which can expand capillary and increase the blood perfusion and interstitial fluid which had already been observed. The mechanism of PSM is featured by alternative axon reflex （wired transmission, WT） and VT in peripheral tissue along meridians, sending simultaneously a continuous sensate signal to control nerve system which can be felt like a PSM.
基金This work was supported by the Climbing Program of Ministry of Science and Technology of China and State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
文摘The meridian phenomena are closely associated with the neuro-muscular function. Our experiments show that meridian phenomenon, acupoint stimulation-induced generating-sensations along meridians(GSM), does exist in some volunteers, and the subjects can describe the characteristics of the feelings and the route of GSM. Simultaneously, GSM is often accompanied with progressive myoelectric activity along the meridian which is able to be recorded objectively. Brachial plexus anesthesia and regional neuro-muscular block may arrest these responses while the neuro-muscular blocking agent may stop neuromuscular transmission at the motor end-plate rather than check GSM. The facts reveal that GSM probably depends on muscular activity and is involved in the secondary neuro-muscular excitation propagating along the longitudinal axis of muscles. These findings suggest that the myoelectric activities constitute the foundation of secondarily generating-sensation propagating along the longitudinal orientation of limbs(muscles), or along the meridian.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81200604)
文摘Objective： To investigate the electrical signals propagated along Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian （BL） in a rat model. Methods： The experiments were performed on Dark-Agouti （DA）, DA.lU and Sprague Dawley （SD） rats. The antidromic electrical stimulation was applied on the nerve innervating ＂Pishu＂ （BL 20） to mimic the acupoint electro-acupuncture （EA）. The activities recording from adjacent nerve innervating acupoint ＂Danshu＂ （BL 19） or ＂Weishu＂ （BL 21） were recorded as indics for acupoint, including the mechanical threshold and discharge rate. Results： After mimic EA on BL 20, C and A $ units from adjacent BL 19 or BL 21 were sensitized including the decrease in mechanical threshold and increase in discharge rates in DA, DA.1U and SD rats, especially in DA rats. The average discharge rate increased from 2.40± 0.26 to 6.06± 0.55 and from 1.92±0.42 to 6.17± 1.10 impulse/min （P〈0.01）, and the mechanical threshold decreased from 0.52 ± 0.12 to 0.24 ± 0.05 and from 0.27±0.02 to 0.16±0.01 mmol/L （P〈0.01） in C （n=15） and Aδ （n=18） units in DA rats. The net change in discharge rates from C units were 152.5%, 144.7% and 42.4% in DA, DA.1U and SD rats, respectively, among which DA rat＇s was the highest （P〈0.05）. In A δ units, the net change in DA rats were also the highest （221.5%, 139.2% and 49.2% in DA, DA.lU and SD rats）. Conclusions： These results showed that mimic acupoint EA activated adjacent acupoints along BL in three rat strains, which might be related to propagated sensation along meridians （PSM）. In addition, DA rats were more sensitive and might be a good model animal for PSM research.
